A small Maufroid Freres et Soeur floor pre-1912

An antique Belgian ceramic floor, now fully restored to its original beauty, and consisting of a principal 16cm square geometric field tile in cool palette and an ornate border, which can be laid in duplicate back-to-back or as a single lay. We have shown both options in the photographs below.

The tiles bear the reverse stamp of a centralised M with rings, identifying them as having been manufactured by Carrelages Céramiques de Chimay, Maufroid Freres & Soeur, Rue Poncet, Bourlers, Henegouwen, Belgium, who later became: S.A. La Céramique de Bourlers (ancienne usine Maufroid). Maufroid Freres et Soeur traded as such between 1879 and 1912, so the tiles were handmade during this period.

There are three internal border corners and two external border corners reclaimed with the floor, requiring the missing to be mitre cut when the floor is laid by the tiler.

Total surface area of 8.75m2+ / 95 sq ft

The floor has cleaned well of decades of dirt and old wax revealing a quality ceramic with a good clay slip.

Owing to the handmade nature of production there is some tonal variations apparent at a tile level, all adding to each tiles uniqueness and a patina embracing the occasional small chip or groutable edge nibbles only adds further to the floors charm. The floor can be laid inside or outside of the home as its high firing makes it resistant to both high summer and sub zero winter temperatures.

Tile quantities, give or take one or two:-

Field tiles - 205 tiles - 5.25m2 / 57 sq ft

Large border tiles - 140 tiles - 3.6m2 / 38.6 sq ft - c.22.4 linear metres / 73.4 linear feet*

*halve for a back to back lay as shown in the photographs